Looking after the Medway Swale Estuary’s coastal environment

ALL ABOARD

INTRODUCTION

The Medway Swale Estuary is an internationally signifi cant coastal environment, not only supporting thousands of breeding and wintering birds, but also a diverse range of marine life, all of which rely in some way on the estuary’s varied and often scarce habitats.

This importance to wildlife is recognised by the number of national and international designations that help safeguard estuary, such as the recent inclusion of both the Medway and Swale as Marine Conservation Zones.

Despite these designations protecting the estuary it remains a vulnerable environment and this leafl et contains a few simple ways, in which users can help safeguard it for future generations to enjoy.

1. RESPECT WILDLIFE• Observe bird/marine life from a safe distance,

at least 100m.

• Keep noise levels to a minimum. Move away if bird/marine become agitated or stop feeding.

For detailed information visit: www.birdwise.org.uk andwww.thegreenblue.org.uk/guides-posters-and-activities/go-green-on-board

2. PROTECT HABITATS• Use designated launch sites where possible.

• Observe the speed limits to minimise erosion to the estuary’s shoreline and islands.

• Avoid dragging craft or riding hovercraft over the fragile saltmarsh, clay and seagrass habitats*.

* For maps of known seagrass areas in the estuary visit: www.msep.org.uk

3. PREVENT LITTERTake all litter (including foodstuffs) home to dispose of/recycle. Where possible please help to keep the estuary clean, by removing any litter you come across as well.

4. SPILLAGESSpillages of oil and fuel create a toxic fi lm, which can suffocate aquatic life. You can help to avoid such an occurrence by:

• Checking before you pump your bilge.

• Installing a fi lter.

• Using a bilge sock to mop up any spills.

5. PREVENT INVASIVE NON-NATIVE SPECIES

Boat users can unknowingly introduce invasive species to the estuary. Help to avoid this by following the Check Clean Dry code and taking the opportunity to learn how to identify the various species.

Visit: www.nonnativespecies.org/gallery/index.cfm or Beneath the Water at msep.org.uk/our-work/publications

6. REDUCE SEWAGE AND GREY WATER

• Where available use pump out facilities to dispose of your sewage. Alternatively use either a self-contained composting toilet or a portable toilet and dispose of the waste correctly on land.

• Minimise the use of soaps and detergents on board and use those that are environmentally friendly, avoiding chlorine, bleach and products containing phosphates.

MEDWAYAND SWALE ESTUARY

RochesterGillingham

Rainham

Lower HalstowChatham

Upnor

Iwade

Hoo

Grain

Private islands - No landing

Public launch sites Gillingham Pier, Gillingham (charges apply)

Commodores Hard, The Strand, Gillingham

Queenborough slipway

Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club slipway, Sheerness

Minster Shingle Bank

Oare

Folly Point

1

1

2

3

4

5

6

2

River Medway

Sheerness

Leysdown-on-Sea

Minster

Sittingbourne

Faversham

Oare

Conyer

Queenborough

Shellness

4

3

5

6

Speed limitsA six knot speed limit operates west of Folly Point.

No speed limit east of Folly Point.

An eight knot speed limit operates in The Swale.

River Medway

The Swale

SOME KEY SPECIES AND HABITATS

Mediterranean gull

Mudflats

Mussel bed

Common Tern

©BC

hapm

an

Lapwing

Seagrass (zostera) bed

Curlew

Oystercatcher

©BC

hapm

an

STOPTHE SPREAD

Are you unknowingly spreading

invasive species on your water

sports equipment and clothing?

For more information visit:www.nonnativespecies.org/checkcleandry

Check your equipment and clothing for live organisms - particular in areas that are damp or hard to inspect.

Clean and wash all equipment, footwear and clothes thoroughly. Use hot water where possible. If you do come across any organisms, leave them at the water body where you found them.

Dry all equipment and clothing - some species can live for many days in moist conditions. Make sure you don’t transfer water elsewhere.

Published by the

Medway Swale Estuary Partnership

www.msep.org.uk

With the generous support of Birdwise and Queenborough Harbour Trust

www.birdwise.org.uk

www.queenborough-harbour.co.uk